The SA 2.6i Microbus thread

[silverbullet]

2.6i - the ultimate T3 development

The cooler/warmer is no bad thing as it does help the oil to get up to temp quicker, just like with waterboxers.

The sump filling tube still weeps, the hose must be on the way out. 33mm bore and I'm having trouble finding any...

I inspected the breather valve and by peering down the pipes I found that the internals had got displaced inside (maybe from an lpg backfire that also wrecked the filter housing lid) so a bit of fiddling with some welding wire got the spring etc. back where they should be and it might stop it breathing up quite so much vapour. I'll probably have to re-tune it again...

023 129 101 Still available as it's a common diesel part but £47.00 + vat

The crank nose/oil pump seal is defo weeping so I'll order one in, size 35x48x10 if anyone needs one too?

Finally, the dipstick tube nut wasn't pulled up tight on it's olive (been like it for ages, maybe since it was built) so that would have been breathing in air too

PS I just found out that the a/c compressor main pivot bolt has been loose since the last meddler bodged the cooler seal

[Wychall]

How about this for your sump fill tube?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLUE-Silicone ... 45f671c55b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Make your engine bay pretty?

[axeman]

my multi van rock and roll bed hinges that i was trying to describe to you. i have lifted the frame work by 100mm using 100X50 box section.


neil

[silverbullet]

Make your engine bay pretty?

Cheers Brian, I overlooked the obvious now ordered, blue to match the bus

Neil, I had better take a closer look at that Westy frame before I go making a plywood jig, I'm no bicycle frame-maker

[silverbullet]

Thanks Neil! The Multivan Westy one is like "the other way of doing the same job" when compared to the Caravelle r'n'r seat.

Confession time: I've been a bit naughty and dismantled the damaged ISRI jump seat, to raid it for upholstery repair fabric and those substantial "zero clearance" locking catches (I just can't face building a big ugly frame that sticks up into the air once the seat is folded flat)



Made by the same people who brought us those lovely high-back orthopaedic cab seats:



Do any South Londoners recognize that post code?

[toomanytoys]

I know where it is.....

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?fti ... uNOuzf0ckG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


If the link works....

[silverbullet]

Not that far from the VWSA factory then...

The ISRI seat is made a hell of a lot better than the locally-made middle row I've dismantled

[silverbullet]

I popped out at lunchtime to see the trimmers. Base cushions and frames are now with these fine chaps, who used to be our neighbours here at King's Road Works. Check out some of their past work:

http://www.surreytrimming.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Should be ready for Friday, you can't beat a trade contact

[silverbullet]

Got the cushions back at lunchtime, well pleased with the results
Won't get much done this weekend (Jag trade show...yawn) but plenty of time for thinking about how to use those jump-seat catches to secure the backrest. So a re-design of the base frame is in order, it will look so much better without "masts" at the back.
Back to the drawing board - literally!

[silverbullet]

The Long Good Friday:



I've got a few tiny details to sort tomorrow, then it's time to drill the floors

Reinforced M10 nut plates made (I'll plug weld those from topside), 3M "90" spray adhesive at the ready to re-fix the backrest foams, then it's all done

For now

[silverbullet]

It's finished

Sunday morning saw the floor mountings fininshed (don't let anyone tell you that SA's don't have much weather protection underneath, I spent a good hour underneath with a heat gun and scraper removing the rubberized factory stonechip before I could start welding)

The middle mounts had to go topside, as they are right on the line of the stringer that carries the centre gearlink bush. Nice and strong though!



I got my most willing assistant to don her overalls and help with painting the frame:



Then after a bit of amateur carpet trimming, it was in. Loads more useable floor space, just need to make a new kickboard and storage bins:



The finished result. A 1.9m bed in a raised engine hatch bus and no more ankles off the end for me!



Still to do: The middle cushion still needs a further tweak as the hinge bars squeeze it a bit (not good for fabric longevity) and the catch hooks need guide plates and a stronger spring for 100% reliability.

I'll give myself an A-

[Plasticman]

more like torrey canyon aftermath, oh and i too like and use the hand drawing and card method, mm

[silverbullet]

Mangled wreckage and everything slathered with black goo...tbh her painting wasn't that bad! It'll all get covered with boards and carpet in the end, but raw metal is inexcusable
Enthusiasm for the task was the key, unlike her brothers. They'll end up with Ricket's if they don't get outside more

[Wychall]

Sunday morning saw the floor mountings fininshed (don't let anyone tell you that SA's don't have much weather protection underneath, I spent a good hour underneath with a heat gun and scraper removing the rubberized factory stonechip before I could start welding)

I too have spent Easter under my SA, in my case fitting wheelchair tracking to secure the middle row seats. I can categorically say that SA's don't have much weather protection underneath. Mine is (or was) naked, not even wax. Evidently VWSA came to their senses in the mid '90's and improved their protection.

You're well set up for when you get chucked out of home now then Ian.

[silverbullet]

I'm doing it for the kids! Honest!

Funnily enough I was talking about this project with a Swiss contact the other weekend (he has a very good restoration shop out there) and his comment was "I can't see the problem. You're doing it for the family, to go on holiday and be together. That's the important thing!"

I might just do a bit of DIY the next few weekends, to be on the safe side.